Do I need a letter of wishes alongside my Will? Making a Will is an important part of lifetime legal planning, but do you need to put all your wishes in your Will? Where should you set out your wishes for gifts or your funeral arrangements? Is it appropriate to explain your decisions about…
Probate and overseas assets Born in Greece and educated in France and Germany before coming to the UK, at his death in April of this year Prince Philip reportedly left a multi-million-pound estate which includes assets overseas. The administration of those assets, and therefore his estate, is likely to take several years to…
Relying on the concept of ‘next of kin’ – when is this enough? Next of kin is a commonly used term in everyday language, yet despite its frequent use ‘next of kin’ only provides legal rights where children are concerned and, even then, only in certain circumstances. The general rule is that the…
Making a Will or giving a gift on your deathbed Living through a global pandemic has meant seeing loved ones taken from us at an alarming rate, and it has been distressing for many to see someone taken into hospital and not know if you might be able to see them again. …
Caroline Flack – lessons learnt about the importance of making a Will After the tragic death of Caroline Flack in 2020, her mother reportedly vowed that she would ‘use the money wisely to help good causes that Caroline was passionate about’. This comment alluded to the fact that Caroline had not made a…
How a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can make a difficult time easier Kate Garraway’s ITV documentary ‘Finding Derek’ told the heartbreaking story of her husband Derek Draper who overcame his battle with Covid but spent a year unconscious in hospital in an induced coma. Thankfully, he has now been taken off life support…
Common probate mistakes and how to avoid them If you are someone’s executor, then it can be tempting to try to administer the estate yourself with a view to saving money. If the estate is simple and you are comfortable with the legal and tax regulations, then this may be fairly straightforward. However,…
It’s complicated – lifetime planning and marital status The coronavirus pandemic has seen many marriage or civil partnership ceremonies postponed, and a survey by the wedding planning website Hitched found that 71 per cent of couples had postponed their weddings rather than proceed with just a handful of guests. ‘Despite the range of…
It’s complicated – changes to marital status and making a Will There have been a number of changes in regard to marriage law since 2004, with the most recent being the introduction of opposite-sex civil partnerships in 2019. These changes have been important in providing clarity over legal rights and financial security when one…
Dealing with estate debts If you are an executor of an estate, you may need to deal with debts that have been left behind. Any estate may have debts to be considered, even if the deceased was wealthy – it is reported that Michael Jackson died with around $500 million worth of debt. …
Deputyship – when a power of attorney is no longer an option If your partner, a parent, or another close relative is losing their ability to manage their own affairs, then you may be concerned about how much you can help, particularly where financial matters are concerned. If the person you care for…
How to plan philanthropic giving through your Will In 2006, the American multi-billionaire Warren Buffet astounded the media by making a pledge to give away 99 per cent of his wealth to charities. He plans to do most of this in his lifetime and intends the remainder to be given away within 10 years…
Lost or unexpected beneficiaries when someone dies It is not uncommon for executors to face some difficulty tracking down the beneficiaries of an estate, especially if the will was written many years ago and contact details are out of date or there are beneficiaries who you have never met. If there was no will,…
When to consider appointing a professional attorney With continuing advances in modern medicine, we are living longer than ever before and, while we are able to keep our bodies healthy and fit into older age, often our minds cannot keep pace. A power of attorney provides an additional means of support among those you…
Ensuring your home passes as you choose Although property values have suffered recently, house prices continue to rise faster than most other investments and property is often the most valuable asset in someone’s estate when they die. But it is also a home and may need to remain a home for a surviving partner,…
Witnessing of Wills and LPA services go digital Isolation during the coronavirus pandemic has meant more people are relying on digital services to get things done while keeping safe at home – and government institutions have been adapting to cope with these changes. During July, two key developments were announced which affect people making…
Why use a legal expert for an estate administration? Like many government organisations, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Services (HMCTS) has been increasing its digital services over the past few years as it aims to provide a more streamlined system for probate registries. While the online service provides an option for executors and…
Worried about a vulnerable person during the Covid-19 lockdown? As the UK’s coronavirus lockdown measures turn from weeks to months, concern over its effects on vulnerable and elderly people is mounting. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline has seen a 25 per cent increase in requests for help, but many people do not associate…
Death comes to us all – let’s talk about it With the coronavirus death toll in the media on a daily basis, people are talking about death much more than usual and the subject is losing its taboo. In 2011 the first ‘Death Café’ was held in the UK to provide an opportunity for…
Coronavirus FAQs regarding wills and powers of attorney – 01 April 2020 The continuing effects of coronavirus remain uncertain. Understandably, many people are concerned about its potential impact upon them and their loved ones. Clare Moreton, wills, trusts and estate planning solicitor with Viewpoint Hill & Abbott Solicitors in Chelmsford has put together some…